Never Once

This song brings tears to my eyes every time. It's truly how I felt between March-July when dealing with Landon and my job situation. God has been SO faithful. It's only through Him that we had such a peace through the entire process and it's only through him that we are where we are today, standing on this mountain top.

one more

I really want to learn how to sew. When I was younger, I did 4-H, and I made a vest (yes, I actually wore it, and yes I know, pathetic), and I probably made a pare of flannel pants, but I don't remember anything. I want to be able to make my own simple things like pillows, curtains, sew the hem on pants and shirts, etc. So I'm going to learn. I'm going to get a sewing machine, and I'm going to learn!

My List

I have been making a list in my head over the last year or 2 of different purchases I would like to make and things I would like to see happen in the next few years. I finally decided to put them into writing so that maybe I will actually have more motivation to make them happen sooner rather than later.

1. Pay off these ugly suckers!! I'm on a mission! I'm going to get them paid off before I am actually "projected" to get them paid off. I'm going to buckle down! I'm determined!

2. Since high school, I have always been interested in Photography. I thought that was what I wanted to go to school for, but the school that I was set on going to didn't have a photography program. I could spend hours on different photographers websites just looking. Even if I never did it as a business, I would love to be able to capture "life" is a unique and beautiful way.

3. I'm going to try my hand at refinishing furniture. I have a couple of pieces in my house that I have redone and I have been fairly impressed with myself. I LOVE Craigslist, and I have been able to get a few really good deals. My goal is to be able to sell it one day for a little extra "student loan payment" or just for some extra spending/saving money.

Not the best picture, but this was my first piece.

I'm sure I have more, but those are the ones that have been on my mind most recently. I'm looking forward to seeing these things happen!

He is faithful

The last few months have had the potential to be stressful, chaotic, and hard on a marriage, but God has been so faithful to us.

Everyone in the whole state (or US) is dealing with budget cuts in the education system. Landon and I were concerned, but we knew God was in control. On March 25, the day we were supposed to find out if we weren't going to get our contracts renewed, I told the Lord, on my way to school that I knew he was in control, he already had a plan, and to just give me peace with whatever that plan was. The rule was "Last in, first out". Landon and I were both hired in July of 2010, so our principals came in and gave us BOTH the news. Both of us were losing our jobs, and in just 2 weeks we were supposed to close on our first home. While we were both upset and a little nervous, we knew the state was not in control of our future, but God was.

We decided to go ahead and close on our house (HUGE leap of faith), and both decided to get jobs in the summer. We knew we would be getting paid through August, but our summer money would be for our September and October house payments if it came down to that. Landon got a job selling fireworks in Louisiana for 2 weeks, and I got a job teaching summer school.

We had so many people praying for us and our situation. We could truly feel the peace of God from those prayers. I was applying for other jobs, and Landon was applying for jobs at hospitals, but nothing was opening up. I had 1 job interview, but that job was given to someone else. Even through all the rejections and lack of job openings, we still had such a strong peace that the Lord was going to take care of us.

Two weeks ago, the Denton ISD school board had a meeting and rehired 30 teachers that were previously let go. Landon and I were not in that count, but we did receive an email that we were going to be recommended for rehire at the next board meeting. We were ecstatic, but still not wanting to get our hopes up. Two weeks later, the meeting was held, and the new budget was passed! We got our jobs back!! We don't know exactly where or what we will be teaching this coming year. Because of all the switching around and loss of positions, we more than likely won't be at the same school we were at, but we are so thankful for our jobs.

The Lord has been so faithful to us. We have had such a peace through this whole process, and we give all the glory to God. We are so thankful for the prayers from our friends and family! God is so good! (and now we get to go on a trip with our summer job money!!!)

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

Psalm 89:8

May

May in a nutshell:

• hot weather
• got a dog: Ranger, black lab
• 2 year anniversary: best day of the year so far!
• husband's IronMan: 16 hours long
• end of my first year of teaching: bittersweet
• sister moved to Denton for the summer: SO EXCITED
• the lake with wonderful friends

all good so far! on to June!!

i'm a proud wife

My husband is one of the most disciplined and goal driven person I have ever met, and it is one of the biggest things I admire about him. Last summer, Landon decided he wanted to compete in an IronMan. If you are unaware of what that means, let me fill you in. Basically he decided he wants to wake up at the
butt
crack of dawn, swim 2.4 miles, then get on a bike and ride 126 miles in the heat with only jells, water, gatorade, and protein bars to eat or drink, and then run a FULL marathon, 26.2 miles. If you add all of that up, it will equal 140.2, and could possibly take up up to 17 hours. My husband is psycho committed! He will be competing in this in just over 2 weeks, and I am so proud of him.

A couple weeks ago, he competed in his first half IronMan competition (70.1 miles). He did an awesome job, and I was extremely impressed with just the half. I'm looking forward to the full in a couple weeks, and Landon is too. I'm not sure if he is more ready to have more free time (workouts are intense) or to say he is finally an IronMan.

At the end of the bike (56 miles)

I think he ate 6 pieces of pizza after the race!

home:)

Landon and I have made the trek from renters to homeowners in the last couple of weeks. We have experience the worry of hail storms, tornado sirens, and strong wind in this short time as well. Being a homeowner brings all of those things into a much different light than just being a renter.

We had our first big "shin-dig" on Easter for lunch. We had some of Landon's family over for lunch. I cooked enchiladas (i know, very "Easter traditional" food) and everyone else brought over the sides. It was a big success! We are hoping to now have a big get-together with our friends! We are loving having so much space! The second morning of sleeping at the house, Landon woke up and made the comment, "I guess I'll make the mile hike to the kitchen!"

We love our house! I feel more like a grown up:) Please continue to pray for Landon and I in our job situation as buying a house could become a little big stressful. We are trusting the Lord that he will take complete care of us!

I'll post more as I get the rooms cleaned up:) Come see us!